The Bleacher Bums: April 16, 2007 Archive

It started as a locker room joke, soon became a dare and finally, evolved into a charity event. Twins pitchers Boof Bonser and Sidney Ponson have agreed to stage a Sumo wrestling exhibition with the proceeds going to the Twins Community Fund.

“On Saturday, after Sid’s first win of the year, I was going to congratulate him with a pat on the back, but a belly bump just seemed so much more fitting,” the 260 pound Bonser explained. “Jesse (Crain) and (Matt) Guerrier saw us and basically dared us to Sumo wrestle.”

Despite some safety concerns from management, the event will be staged in the Mall Of America rotunda on Monday, April 30 at 8:00 pm. Admission will be free, but donations will be accepted. Mall management reportedly put up a $5,000 donation to make the exhibition possible.

“I watch a lot of late night TV,” Ponson, who is listed at 258 pounds, commented. “So, I’ve seen a bunch of Sumo wrestling matches on ESPN 2. I think I’ve got a good idea about what to do -- enough to beat Boof anyway.”

Bonser, meanwhile, declined to participate in the trash talking, saying only, “The important thing is that we have fun and the money goes to a good cause.”